Position transducer device

ABSTRACT

In order to provide a position transducer device for detecting the position of a position transmitter, comprising a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a measuring sensor arranged in the housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, the position transmitter being coupled to this measuring sensor without contact, which is variable in its use for a user it is suggested that an outer surface of the housing be designed such that it can be enclosed at least partially by a fixing receiving means for fixing it to an application and that the housing can be rotated in the fixing receiving means.

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed inGerman applications Nos. 101 53 488.4-52 and 101 53 489.2-52, both ofOct. 23, 2001, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a position transducer device fordetecting the position of a position transmitter, comprising a housingextending in a longitudinal direction and a measuring sensor arranged inthe housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, theposition transmitter being coupled to the measuring sensor withoutcontact.

[0003] Position transducer devices of this type are known, for example,from DE 43 06 951 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,426 or U.S. Pat. No.5,923,164.

[0004] The position of a movable machine element, to which the positiontransmitter is coupled, may be detected by means of these devices. Inthis respect, transonic position transducer devices are used, inparticular, with which the position transmitter is a permanent magnet orelectromagnet and the position is determined via the propagation time ofpropagating mechanical waves on a waveguide comprised by the measuringsensor.

[0005] Position transducer devices of this type have a plurality ofuses.

[0006] Proceeding from this, the object underlying the invention is toprovide a position transducer device which is variable in its use for auser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object specified at the outset is accomplished in accordancewith the invention in that an outer surface of the housing is designedsuch that it can be enclosed at least partially by a fixing receivingmeans for fixing it to an application and the housing can be rotated inthe fixing receiving means.

[0008] A user can, as a result, insert the position transducer deviceinto the fixing receiving means and then turn it, for example, towardsthe position transmitter on its track such that an optimum detectionresult is achieved. As a result, great variability results for the useof the inventive position transducer device since the final position ofthe housing need not be determined by the positioning of the fixingreceiving means relative to the application.

[0009] It is provided, in particular, for the outer surface of thehousing to have a high degree of symmetry with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the housing and to be, in particular,essentially rotationally symmetric. This may be achieved, for example,in that at least one outer surface of the housing is of a cylindricaldesign with a circular profiled cross section or a polygonal crosssection with a plurality of corners, for example, ten corners or more.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous when the housing surface has amarking which extends in a longitudinal direction and indicates ameasurement side. As a result, it is indicated to a user where theeffective measurement side of the position transducer device is locatedand so he can position the housing and the position transmitter so as tobe aligned relative to one another in an optimum manner. It may beprovided for the marking to be formed by a groove. It may also beprovided, in particular, for the marking to be formed by a flattenedarea, wherein the groove itself can also represent a correspondingflattened area in order to prevent the housing from rolling away.

[0011] In this respect, the measuring sensor is, in particular, at aminimum distance in relation to the marking so that the positiontransmitter acts on the measuring sensor in an optimum manner in orderto generate corresponding position measuring signals with a highsignal-noise ratio.

[0012] It may, in addition, be provided for one or more transversemarkings to be applied to the housing which indicate the measurementarea. As a result, the effective measurement area, in which positions ofthe position transmitter may be detected, is specified directly to auser. As a result, the positioning between position transducer deviceand position transmitter is again made easier for the user.

[0013] It may be provided, in particular, for the housing to be of acylindrical design. Such a housing may be produced in a simple andinexpensive manner, for example, by means of extrusion molding. It has ahigh degree of symmetry, i.e., it may easily be turned in acorresponding fixing receiving means.

[0014] It is particularly favorable when the housing is of a tubulardesign. As a result, it is also possible, for example, for an interiorof the housing to be essentially rotationally symmetric to alongitudinal direction of the housing. As a result, a correspondingcover element may, on the other hand, be inserted into the housing in asimple manner and a sealed closure may be provided without the coverneeding, for example, to be screwed to the housing.

[0015] Favorably, the housing has on its outer surface a flattened area,by means of which the housing can be placed on a support. As a result,the handling capability of the position transducer device during theproduction and also during the fixing of an application is increasedsince any rolling away of the housing is avoided. The wording“essentially” with respect to the rotationally symmetric design alsorelates also to the fact that the rotational symmetry does not exist inthe region of the flattened area.

[0016] It may be provided for the position transmitter to be freefloating relative to the housing. As a result, a user is given extensivepossibilities for variation with respect to the relative positioningbetween position transmitter and position transducer device without himbeing bound to a mechanical coupling of the position transmitter to thehousing of the position transducer device.

[0017] It may, however, also be provided alternatively for the positiontransmitter to be guided on the housing. In the case of a rotationallysymmetric configuration of at least one outer surface of the housing,the position transmitter may then be of a bracket-like design and guidedon the housing.

[0018] A fixing receiving means is designed, in particular, as aretaining clamp. In a first embodiment, a retaining clamp is of abracket-like design such that the housing can be fixed between a holdingbracket of the retaining clamp and the application, i.e., the housingmay be clamped to a corresponding surface of the application via theretaining clamp.

[0019] In a second embodiment, a retaining clamp is of a clip-likedesign, wherein the housing can be fixed in the holding clip. Thehousing is therefore placed in the holding clip and held in this holdingclip.

[0020] In this respect, it may be provided for the position transducerdevice to be adapted to be fixed on the retaining clamp via one or morefixing screws between the housing and the holding clip, i.e., thereceiving position of the housing in the retaining clamp is, inparticular, secured.

[0021] In a third embodiment, a retaining clamp comprises a firstholding element with a first holding recess and a second holding elementwith a second holding recess, wherein the housing of the positiontransducer device is held between the two holding elements in the twoholding recesses.

[0022] Favorably, the two holding elements can be fixed to one anothervia one or more fixing screws in order to thereby clamp the housing inthe holding recesses. The fixing screws may serve at the same time tofix the retaining clamp on a machine.

[0023] Alternatively, it may be provided for the housing of the positiontransducer device to be adapted to be fixed on an application in arecess. When the housing is of an essentially rotationally symmetricdesign, such a recess may be provided in a simple manner, for example,by drilling out.

[0024] In addition, it is favorable when the housing is produced from amaterial with a high electrical and/or thermal conductivity, such as,for example, brass, zinc or aluminum in order to obtain a high EMCstrength.

[0025] In principle, it may be provided for the housing to be closed atone end, i.e., for a cover to be formed in one piece with the housing.It is advantageous when the housing is open at both ends so that it canbe closed by covers. Such a housing may be produced in a simple mannersince a cover need not be produced integrally with it.

[0026] In this respect, a cover for closing the housing can, inparticular, be fixed to this without screws so that, as a result, theproduction is possible in an inexpensive manner.

[0027] A cover for closing the housing advantageously has a knurled areafor dipping into the housing. A good fixing of the cover to the housingmay be achieved via this knurled area, wherein a high system ofprotection, such as IP 67, may be achieved with little expenditure.

[0028] The following description of preferred embodiments serves toexplain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with thedrawings. These show:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 a perspective view of one embodiment of an inventiveposition transducer device in an exploded illustration;

[0030]FIG. 2 a perspective view of a cover-connection element unitaccording to FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 3 a lateral partial sectional view of the position transducerdevice according to FIG. 1, with which the cover-connection element unitis fixed to the housing;

[0032]FIG. 4 a schematic view of a magnetostrictive measuring sensor;

[0033]FIG. 5 a first embodiment of a retaining clamp;

[0034]FIG. 6 a second embodiment of a retaining clamp;

[0035]FIG. 7 a third embodiment of a retaining clamp;

[0036]FIG. 8 a further embodiment of a possibility for fixing aninventive position transducer device to an application;

[0037]FIG. 9 a schematic illustration of the possibilities forpositioning an inventive position transducer device on an applicationand

[0038]FIG. 10 a perspective partial view of a variation of oneembodiment without a housing, with which a plug is arranged on a holdingplate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] One embodiment of an inventive position transducer device whichis designated in FIG. 1 as a whole as 10 comprises a housing 12 whichextends in a longitudinal direction 14. The housing 12 is, inparticular, of a cylindrical, tubular design with a first open end 16and a second open end 18 located opposite. A housing interior 20 isformed in the housing 12 between the two ends 16 and 18 and thisaccommodates, inter alia, a measuring sensor 22.

[0040] The housing 12 is designed to be essentially rotationallysymmetric about a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinaldirection 14 or coinciding with this. A surface 24 of the housing 12 isdesigned to be essentially free from edges outside its end edges.

[0041] The surface 24 preferably has in the longitudinal direction 14 aslightly flattened area 26 which makes it possible to place or ratherposition the housing 12, in particular, during the production processwithout this rolling away.

[0042] Furthermore, the surface 24 of the housing 12 is provided with amarking 28, for example, in the form of a groove, wherein the measuringsensor 22 is arranged in the housing 12 such that its distance to themarking 28 is minimal. The marking 28 indicates the active side orrather active surface of the position transducer device 10, i.e., themeasurement side and therefore makes it easier for a user to positionthe inventive position transducer device 10 on an application, forexample, a machine tool or the like. A transverse marking 29 may also beprovided in order to indicate the measurement area and, in particular,its beginning on the housing. A further marking can indicate the end ofthe measurement area on the housing 12.

[0043] In this respect, it may be provided for the flattened area 26 tobe formed via the marking 28.

[0044] The housing 12 is preferably produced from a metallic materialwith a high electrical and/or thermal conductivity so that a high EMCstrength is present and, therefore, precise measurement results can beobtained. The material for the housing 12 is a non-magnetic metal inorder to be able to use a magnet 30 (cf. FIG. 4 and FIG. 10) as positiontransmitter. In this respect, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet maybe used. Aluminum is used, for example, as material for the housing 12.

[0045] The position transmitter is fixed on a movable machine part andmoves on a path extending parallel to the position transducer device 10(i.e., parallel to the longitudinal direction 14), i.e., is freefloating in relation to the housing 12. However, it may also be guidedon the housing. For this purpose, the position transmitter is, forexample, of a bracket-like design.

[0046] At its open end 18, the housing 12 is closed via a cover 32 whichhas a dip-in area 34, with which this cover 32 dips into the interior ofthe housing 12 and via which the cover 32 is fixed to the housing 12.This dip-in area is, in particular, of a knurled design so that thecover 32 can be fixed to the housing 12 without screws. The interior ofthe housing 12 is advantageously configured to be essentiallyrotationally symmetric at least in the area, in which the cover 12 isfixed, and the cover 32 is designed accordingly with its dip-in area 34in order to be able to connect cover 32 and housing 12 to one another ina simple and sealed manner.

[0047] In this respect, it is provided for one or more O-rings 36 to bearranged as seals between the dip-in area 34 and corresponding innerwalls of the housing 12 in order to seal the interior 20 from theexterior at the end 18. In this respect, the O-ring or O-rings 36 are,in particular, integrated into the dip-in area 34 of the cover 32.

[0048] The cover 32 has, adjoining the dip-in area 34 and, inparticular, formed in one piece with it, a cover disk 38 with a diameterwhich corresponds essentially to the diameter of the housing 12transversely to the longitudinal direction 14 so that the cover disk 38does not project beyond the surface 24 of the housing 12 and, on theother hand, covers an end face 40 of the housing 12 at the end 18 atleast partially.

[0049] The cover 32 is, again, preferably produced from a metal with ahigh electrical and/or thermal conductivity, such as brass, in order toeffect a high EMC strength.

[0050] A cover 42 is provided for closing the housing 12 at the end 16and this forms together with an electrical connection element 44 acover-connection element unit 46 which can be handled as a whole andwhich can be fixed to the housing 12.

[0051] In order to form the cover-connection element unit 46, the cover42 has a cover disk 48, by means of which an end face 50 of the housing12 at the end 16 can be covered at least partially. A connecting piece52 is formed in one piece on the cover disk 48, extending in thelongitudinal direction 14, namely away from the end 18, and thisconnecting piece has a cylindrical interior 54 for accommodating a pluginsert 56 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The connecting piece 52 is provided on itsouter surface with an external thread 58 so that a mating connector tothe plug insert 56 can be screwed onto the connecting piece 52. The pluginsert 56 is held in the connecting piece 52 and, for example, is gluedin it. An EMC filter is, in particular, integrated into it in order tofilter out electromagnetic distortions which could be fed in via theconnection element 44.

[0052] An O-ring 62 is arranged as seal between the plug insert 56 andinner walls 60 of the connecting piece 52 forming the interior 54 inorder to seal the housing 12 from the exterior at the connecting piece52.

[0053] A dip-in element 64, via which the cover 42 of thecover-connection element unit 46 dips into the interior 20 of thehousing 12, is seated on the cover disk 48 and connected to this in onepiece, pointing in the direction of the end 18. As a result, a dip-inarea 66 is formed at the cover 42 which is, in particular, of a knurleddesign.

[0054] The cover-connection element unit 46 is inserted into the housing12 via the dip-in element 64 and held on the housing 12 via the knurleddesign of the dip-in area 66, wherein this fixing takes place withoutany screws and so the assembly of the inventive position transducerdevice 10 and the closure of the housing 12 take place via a slip-onprocedure.

[0055] In order to provide the sealing in relation to the exterior it isprovided for an O-ring 68 (FIG. 3) to be arranged between the dip-inarea 66 and corresponding inner walls of the housing 12.

[0056] A corresponding groove 70 is arranged in the dip-in area 66 toaccommodate the O-ring 68.

[0057] A holder 72 for the measuring sensor 22 is seated on the dip-inelement 64 of the cover-connection element unit 46, pointing in thedirection of the end 18. This measuring sensor is, as shown in FIG. 4,designed as a waveguide 74 and, for example, is of a tubular design oris present in wire form. It is produced, for example, from a nickel-ironalloy. A copper conductor 76 is threaded into it.

[0058] An exciting current pulse originating from a measurementinterface triggers a measurement as measurement signal. The excitingcurrent pulse 78 is triggered by means of a starting signal. Theexciting current pulse 78 generates a circular magnetic field 80 whichis bundled in the waveguide 74 on account of soft-magnetic properties ofthis waveguide. The position transmitter 30, for example, a permanentmagnet is arranged at a measuring location 82 of the waveguide 74,wherein the magnetic field lines 84 of this magnet extend at rightangles to the circular magnetic field 80 and are likewise bundled in thewaveguide 74.

[0059] In an area 86, in which the two magnetic fields 80 and 84 aresuperimposed, an elastic deformation results in the micro-region of thestructure of the waveguide 74 on account of magnetostriction. Thiselastic deformation again causes an elastic wave propagating along thewaveguide 74 in opposite directions 88, 90. The speed of propagation ofthis wave in the waveguide 74 is in the order of magnitude ofapproximately 2800 m/s and is to a great extent insensitive toenvironmental influences.

[0060] A damping member 94 is provided at one end 92 of the waveguide 74and as a result of this damping member the transonic wave running tothis end 92 is damped so that the part reflected back during the signaldetection can be disregarded in comparison with the directly propagatingwave.

[0061] A signal converter 98 is arranged at the other end 96 and thisgenerates an electrical signal by reversing the magnetostrictive effectand magnetic induction and supplies this to a measurement interface.

[0062] The propagation time of the wave from the place of origin 82 asfar as the signal converter 98 is directly proportional to the distancebetween the position transmitter 30 and the signal converter 98. Thedistance between the signal converter 98 and the position transmitter 30can therefore be determined with considerable accuracy by means of atime measurement. The primary measurement signal for this timemeasurement is the exciting current pulse 78 on the waveguide 74 and itsreaction pulse which is supplied by the signal converter 98 to themeasurement interface offset in time as a function of the distancebetween the signal converter 98 and the position transmitter 30.

[0063] The holder 72 is designed such that it accommodates the measuringsensor 22, including waveguide and signal converter 98, in a cylindricalreceiving means 100. As a result, the measuring sensor 22 is held in theinterior 20 of the housing 12 via the holder 72 by means of thecover-connection element unit 46, i.e., that part of the measuringsensor 22 outside the receiving means 100 extends in the longitudinaldirection 14 in the housing 12, i.e., extends in a self-supportingmanner in it.

[0064] The position of the signal converter 98 in the receiving means100 determines the measurement area.

[0065] An internal circuit arrangement, which is designated as a wholein FIG. 3 as 102 and which serves, inter alia, for activating themeasuring sensor 22 and can thereby be connected via the connectionelement 44, in particular, to an external measurement interface, islikewise arranged on the cover-connection element unit 46. For thispurpose, the connection element 44 is connected via a film conductor orwire conductor 104 to a holding plate 106 which, again, is seated on thecover 42, namely on the dip-in element 64, and points in the directionof the end 18. The holding plate 106 is equipped with the electroniccomponents of the circuit arrangement 102. Proceeding from this holdingplate 106, a further film conductor 108 connects the measuring sensor 22electrically to the holding plate 106, i.e., to the circuit arrangement102 and therefore, on the other hand, to the connection element 44. Thefilm conductor 104 is connected to the holding plate 106 on one sidewhile the film conductor 108 is connected to the holding plate on theopposite side. In this way, the cover-connection element unit 46 may beproduced first of all and a connection contact to the holding plate 106may also be provided via the film conductor 104 while the measuringsensor 22 can then be positioned on the cover-connection element unit 46via the receiving means 100 and the electrical connection can be formedvia the film conductor 108, via a corresponding connection element 110and the film conductor 108.

[0066] The circuit arrangement 102 is arranged with respect to thecover-connection element unit 46 such that a good thermal contactprevails between the cover 42 and the circuit arrangement 102 so that athermal balance can quickly be achieved. The cover 42 is preferablyproduced from a metal with a high electrical and/or thermalconductivity.

[0067] The holding plate 106 extends in longitudinal direction 14 to theend 18 and has a length which corresponds, for example, to half of thelength or two thirds of the length of the housing 12. A width of theholding plate 106 transversely to the longitudinal direction 14corresponds essentially to an inner diameter of the housing 12. Theholding plate 106 is arranged on a diameter of the cover 42, i.e., alongitudinal axis of the holding plate 106 coincides with an axis ofsymmetry of the cover 42. In this way, the cover-connection element unit46 may be fixed in the housing 12 via the holding plate 106 whichprevents any shifting of the cover-connection element unit 46 in thehousing 12. The holding plate 106 therefore brings about an additionalfixing and, in particular, clamping of the cover-connection element unit46 to the housing 12.

[0068] In the vicinity of its front end 112 the holding plate 106 hasoppositely located clamping elements 114 which are designed to beelastically movable transversely to the longitudinal direction 14. Aclamping element 114 thereby has a clamping nose 116, the lateralsurface 118 of which projects beyond the rest of a side surface 120 ofthe holding plate 106 in the state not acted upon by a force.

[0069] If the holding plate 106 is pushed into the interior 20 of thehousing 12, the clamping nose 116 is pressed as a result, while thecover-connection element unit 46 is being pushed into the housing 12, ina direction 120 transverse to the longitudinal direction. On the otherhand, the clamping element 114 then exerts a force on correspondinginner walls of the housing 12 in a direction contrary to the direction120 and, as a result, brings about a fixing of the holding plate 106 inthe housing 12 when no more force is exerted accordingly in longitudinaldirection 14, i.e., when the cover-connection element unit 46 is fixedon the housing via its dip-in area 66.

[0070] The surface 118 has a slanting plane 122, via which a clampingnose 116 can be moved in the direction 120 during the insertion of thecover-connection element unit 46 with the holding plate 106.

[0071] At its front end 112, the holding plate 106 is provided, inaddition, with a bevel 124 which facilitates the insertion of thecover-connection element unit 46 into the housing 12.

[0072] For the production of the position transducer device 10 inaccordance with the invention, the cover-connection element unit 46 isproduced, the measuring sensor is connected to this mechanically, namelyvia the receiving means 100, and electrically via the film conductor 108and the connection element 110. As a result, a cover-connectionelement-measuring sensor unit designated in FIG. 2 as a whole as 126 isformed. This may be tested separately.

[0073] After completion of the corresponding electrical tests, this unit126 is inserted into the housing 12, namely is pushed into the housingfrom the open end 16 as a unit, i.e., as a whole. In this respect, careis taken that the measuring sensor 22 is aligned with the marking 28,i.e., that the distance is minimal.

[0074] The cover-connection element unit 46 is then fixed to the housing12 without screws via the knurled area of the dip-in area 66, whereinthe holding plate 106 with its clamping elements 114 provides for anadditional clamping fixing and also positional fixing (with respect todirections which are located transverse to the direction 120 and thelongitudinal direction 14). In this way, the measuring sensor 22 is, onthe one hand, positioned securely in the housing 12 extending in thelongitudinal direction 14 thereof and, on the other hand, the housing 12is closed by the cover 42. At the same time, the connection of theconnection element 44 to the measuring sensor is already provided.

[0075] The front end 18 is closed by the cover 32 as described above.

[0076] To produce the cover-connection element unit and the circuitarrangement 102, the individual elements (cover 42, connection element44, dip-in element 64, holding plate 106) may be connected, inparticular, without screws, for example, via embossing, riveting ,pressure or adhesion.

[0077] A high system of protection (such as IP 67) may be achieved withlittle expenditure by means of the O-ring seal between the dip-inelement 64 and the housing 12.

[0078] In a variation of one embodiment, it is provided for a holder forthe measuring sensor 22 to be arranged in the housing 12 (not shown inthe drawings). For example, the housing is produced, for this purpose,by means of extrusion and has an extruded profile with a correspondingbore for accommodating the measuring sensor 22. A groove can also beprovided accordingly, for example, in order to be able to fix thecircuit arrangement 102 in the interior of the corresponding housing.

[0079] The inventive position transducer device 10 may be fixed via thehousing 12 to an application, for example, a machine tool. The movingmachine part, the distance of which is intended to be determined andwith which the position transmitter 30 is connected, is free floatingrelative to the housing 12, i.e., the guide means for the machine partand, therefore, the position transmitter 30 is not coupled to theposition transducer device 10. It may be provided in accordance with theinvention for the housing 12 to be fixed to the application via spacedretaining clamps.

[0080] A first embodiment of a retaining clamp which is shown in FIG. 5and designated as a whole as 128 is of a bracket-like design and has aholding bracket 130, on which holding tongues 132 and 134 are seated atthe respective ends, corresponding recesses 136 being formed in thesetongues and the retaining clamps 128 being adapted to be fixed on theapplication via screws or bolts via these recesses. A fixing receivingmeans 138 is formed between the holding bracket 130 and a plane of theholding tongues 132, 134 and the housing can be inserted into thisreceiving means. The holding bracket 130 thereby acts from above (facingaway from the application) on the housing 12 and thereby clamps theposition transducer device 10 against the application when the retainingclamp 128 is fixed to the application accordingly via the holdingtongues 132 and 134.

[0081] In a second embodiment of a retaining clamp which is shown inFIG. 6 and designated as a whole as 140, a holding plate 142 is providedwhich can be positioned on an application and can be fixed to this, forexample, via screw connections or bolt connections. A holding clip 144is seated on the holding plate 142 and is, in particular, formed in onepiece on it, this holding clip having a fixing receiving means 146 whichhas a cross section in the shape of a section of a circle. Correspondingholding walls of the holding clip 144 are, therefore, shaped like acircular arc, wherein ends 148, 150 are located opposite one another inspaced relationship.

[0082] The housing 12 of the position transducer device 10 can beinserted into this fixing receiving means 146. A continuous recess 152is formed on the holding clip 144 and a fixing screw can act on thehousing 12 in the fixing receiving means 146 via this recess and canclamp it in the holding clip 144, in particular, in a force-lockingmanner. For this purpose, the recess 152 is provided with an internalthread.

[0083] In order to have a longer thread guidance for such a fixingscrew, a block-shaped feed-through element 154, which is seated, inparticular, in one piece on the holding clip 144, is formed around therecess 152 on an outer side of the holding clip 144 which faces awayfrom the fixing receiving means 146.

[0084] Various arrangements of the feed through element 154 and therecess 152 can be provided, i.e., a longitudinal axis of the recess 152can have different angular positions in relation to the holding plate142 depending on the type of retaining clamp 140. (Depending on theapplication, it may be more advantageous for the recess 152 to have agreater angle in relation to the holding plate 142 or a smaller angle,i.e., be located closer to the holding plate 142).

[0085] In a third embodiment of a retaining clamp which is shown in FIG.7 and designated as a whole as 156, a first holding element 158 isprovided with a semicircular, first holding recess 160 and a secondholding element 162 with a semicircular, second holding recess 164,wherein the two holding recesses 160, 164 together form a fixingreceiving means for the housing 12 of the inventive position transducerdevice 10.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the two holding elements 158and 162 are of a yoke-shaped design and connected to one another in onepiece at one yoke bone whereas they are not connected to one another attheir respective, other yoke bones 166, 168. On account of acorresponding elastic design of the retaining clamp 156, in particular,via the corresponding selection of the material for producing theretaining clamp 156, the first holding recess 160 and the second holdingrecess 164 may, as a result, be pivoted on one side with a pivot axiswhich is located in the region of the connected yoke bone 170. As aresult, the distance between the yoke bones 166 and 168 may be varied.

[0087] The housing 12 is placed in the fixing receiving means. A recess172 provided with a thread passes through the yoke bone 168 and the yokebone 166 at least partially so that a fixing screw can fix the two yokebones 168 and 166 against one another and, therefore, the second holdingelement 162 can move towards the first holding element 158 so that thehousing 12 of the position transducer device 10 can be clamped in thefixing receiving means 160, 164. The corresponding fixing screw canserve at the same time for fixing the retaining clamp 156 on theapplication.

[0088] The retaining clamps 128 and 140 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are preferablymanufactured from a metallic material whereas the retaining clamp 156(FIG. 7) is preferably manufactured from a plastic material.

[0089] It may also be provided for the application to have a holdingrecess for the housing 12 of the position transducer device 10. Forexample, a cylindrical recess 176 is formed in a machine block 174 forthis purpose (FIG. 8) and the position transducer device 10 can bepushed into this recess. The housing 12 of the position transducerdevice 10 may then be fixed on the machine block via a fixing screw 178.The housing 12 may thereby be utilized as a guide for a positiontransmitter.

[0090] In a variation of one embodiment which is shown schematically inFIG. 10, a plug 190, which is produced, in particular, from a porousmaterial, such as expanded rubber or Styrofoam, is arranged on theholding plate 106 at or in the region of its front end 112.

[0091] In order to accommodate this plug 190, the holding plate 106 isprovided at its front end 112 with a shoulder 192, onto which the plug190 can be pushed and on which it is then held.

[0092] The plug serves for the thermal insulation relative to the cover32. It has been shown that when using a corresponding plug 190 it ispossible for the position transducer device 10 to heat up more quickly,i.e., for the stationary operating phase following the switching on tobe reached more quickly.

[0093] It may be provided for the plug 190 to be pushed onto theshoulder 192 of the holding plate 106 and then the cover-connectionelement unit 46 to be pushed into the housing 12 with the holding plate106 and the plug 190. This is provided, in particular, when the housing12 is closed at its front end, i.e., when the corresponding cover isformed in one piece on the housing.

[0094] However, it may also be provided for the plug 190 to be pushed inthe housing onto the holding plate 106 from an open end 18 and,subsequently, for the cover 32 to be fixed on the housing 12.

[0095] As a result of the tubular, cylindrical design of the housing 12,this may be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner. This shape isalso advantageous for the application since the housing 12 and, with it,the position transducer device 10 have a high rigidity on account of anoptimized ratio of mass and geometrical moment of inertia.

[0096] The flattened area 26 allows an improved handling capability, inparticular, during the production and also during the procedure forfixing the position transducer device 10 to an application.

[0097] On account of the essentially rotationally symmetric design ofthe housing 12, the inventive position transducer device 10 may, asshown in FIG. 8, be fixed in a simple manner to an application when acorresponding recess 156 is provided. The position transducer device 10may be turned into the desired sensor position prior to its fixing inthe recess 176, i.e., turned into the position, in which the activemeasurement side, indicated to the user by the marking 28, is in thedesired position.

[0098] In addition, various types of retaining clamp (FIGS. 5 to 7) maybe used on account of the cylindrical design of the housing 12 in orderto fix the position transducer device 10 to an application. As a result,the fixing may, again, be optimized for a special application.

[0099] As a result of the fact that the position transmitter 30 is freefloating relative to the housing 12 and the position transducer device10 can be turned in a fixing receiving means prior to the final fixingon account of its cylindrical design, a user has great flexibility withrespect to the positioning of the position transducer device 10 on anapplication. For example, an increased variability with respect to thedirection of the cable outlet from the connection element 44 is present.

[0100] A position transducer device is shown in FIG. 9 by way of exampleand this is fixed via retaining clamps 140 to an application 180, forexample, a machine. In a first position 182, the active side of theposition transducer device 10 faces away from the holding plate 142 andthe position transmitter 30 is moved parallel to the holding plate abovethe retaining clamp 140.

[0101] If, on the other hand, the position transmitter 30 is moved belowthe holding plate 142, this may be brought about in a simple manner, forexample, proceeding from the position 182 in that the housing 12 isturned through 180°. This is indicated in FIG. 9 by the position withthe reference numeral 184.

[0102] If the position transmitter 30 is moved in the longitudinaldirection 14 to the side of the retaining clamp 140, the housing 12 maybe turned through 90° to the left or right proceeding from the position182 in order to bring the active side of the position transducer device10 into an optimized coupling contact with the position transmitter 30.This is indicated in FIG. 9 by the positions with the reference numerals186 and 188.

[0103] In the respective measuring positions of the position transducerdevice 10, the distance, in particular, between the marking 28 and theposition transmitter 30 is minimized in relation to other rotarypositions of the housing 12, i.e., the distance between the measuringsensor 22 and the position transmitter 30 is minimized in relation toother rotary positions of the measuring sensor 22.

1. Position transducer device for detecting the position of a positiontransmitter, comprising a housing extending in a longitudinal directionand a measuring sensor arranged in the housing and extending parallel tothe longitudinal direction, the position transmitter being coupled tosaid measuring sensor in a noncontacting manner, wherein an outersurface of the housing is designed such that it is adapted to beenclosed at least partially by a fixing receiving means for fixing it toan application and wherein the housing is rotatable in the fixingreceiving means.
 2. Position transducer device as defined in claim 1,wherein the outer surface of the housing has a high degree of symmetrywith respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing.
 3. Positiontransducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the outer surface isessentially rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinaldirection of the housing.
 4. Position transducer device as defined inclaim 1, wherein a housing surface has a marking extending in alongitudinal direction and indicating a measurement side.
 5. Positiontransducer device as defined in claim 4, wherein the measuring sensor isat a minimum distance in relation to the marking.
 6. Position transducerdevice as defined in claim 4, wherein one or more transverse markingsare provided, said markings indicating the measurement area on thehousing.
 7. Position transducer device as defined in claim 1, whereinthe housing is of a cylindrical design.
 8. Position transducer device asdefined in claim 1, wherein the housing is of a tubular design. 9.Position transducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housinghas a flattened area on its outer surface, the housing being adapted tobe placed on a support by means of said flattened area.
 10. Positiontransducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the positiontransmitter is free floating relative to the housing.
 11. Positiontransducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the positiontransmitter is guided on the housing.
 12. Position transducer device asdefined in claim 1, wherein a fixing receiving means is designed as aretaining clamp.
 13. Position transducer device as defined in claim 12,wherein a retaining clamp is of a bracket-like design such that thehousing is adapted to be fixed between a holding bracket of theretaining clamp and the application.
 14. Position transducer device asdefined in claim 12, wherein a retaining clamp is of a clip-like design,wherein the housing is adapted to be fixed in the holding clip. 15.Position transducer device as defined in claim 14, wherein the positiontransducer device is adapted to be fixed on the retaining clamp via oneor more fixing screws between the housing and the holding clip. 16.Position transducer device as defined in claim 12, wherein a retainingclamp comprises a first holding element with a first holding recess anda second holding element with a second holding recess, wherein thehousing of the position transducer device is held between the twoholding elements in the two holding recesses.
 17. Position transducerdevice as defined in claim 16, wherein the two holding elements areadapted to be fixed to one another via one or more fixing screws. 18.Position transducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing ofthe position transducer device is adapted to be fixed on an applicationin a recess.
 19. Position transducer device as defined in claim 1,wherein the housing is produced from a material with a high electricaland/or thermal conductivity.
 20. Position transducer device as definedin claim 1, wherein the housing is open at both ends so that it isclosable by covers.
 21. Position transducer device as defined in claim1, wherein a cover for closing the housing is adapted to be fixed to itwithout screws.
 22. Position transducer device as defined in claim 21,wherein a cover for closing the housing has a knurled area for dippinginto the housing.
 23. Position transducer device for detecting theposition of a position transmitter, comprising a housing extending in alongitudinal direction, a measuring sensor arranged in the housing andextending parallel to the longitudinal direction, the positiontransmitter being coupled to said measuring sensor in a noncontactingmanner, and an electrical connection element arranged on the housing,wherein a cover for closing the housing at one end and the connectionelement are connected to one another as a unit and wherein thiscover-connection element unit is fixed on the housing via the cover. 24.Position transducer device as defined in claim 23, wherein thecover-connection element unit is pushed into the housing and fixed onit.
 25. Position transducer device as defined in claim 23, wherein themeasuring sensor is held in the housing by the cover-connection elementunit.
 26. Position transducer device as defined in claim 23, wherein aninternal circuit arrangement of the position transducer device isarranged on the cover-connection element unit.
 27. Position transducerdevice as defined in claim 23, wherein the cover-connection element unithas a holding element extending in the longitudinal direction, thecover-connection element unit being adapted to be fixed in the housingby means of said holding element.
 28. Position transducer device asdefined in claim 27, wherein the holding element has one or moreclamping elements, the holding element being adapted to be clamped onthe housing by means of said clamping elements.
 29. Position transducerdevice as defined in claim 27, wherein an internal circuit arrangementis seated on the holding element.
 30. Position transducer device asdefined in claim 23, wherein the cover has a dip-in area, the coverdipping into an interior of the housing by means of said area. 31.Position transducer device as defined in claim 30, wherein thecover-connection element unit is fixed on the housing without screws bymeans of the dip-in area.
 32. Position transducer device as defined inclaim 31, wherein one or more seals are arranged between the dip-in areaand a housing inner wall.
 33. Position transducer device as defined inclaim 32, wherein a seal is designed in the shape of an O-ring. 34.Position transducer device as defined in claim 23, wherein a plugconsisting of a porous material is arranged in the housing at or in thevicinity of the end facing away from the cover of the cover-connectionelement unit.
 35. Position transducer device as defined in claim 34,wherein the cover-connection element unit is designed such that a goodthermal contact prevails between the cover and an internal circuitarrangement seated on the cover-connection element unit.
 36. Positiontransducer device as defined in claim 23, wherein the housing is of acylindrical design with at least one open end for the cover-connectionelement unit.
 37. Position transducer device as defined in claim 23,wherein the housing is of a tubular design.